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Human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus – update

Disease outbreak news

20 March 2014 -On 19 March 2014, the National Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC) of China notified WHO of an additional three laboratory-confirmed cases of human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus.

Details of the cases reported are as follows:

A 71 year-old woman from Shenzhen City, Guangdong Province. She became ill on 5 March, was admitted to a hospital on 15 March and is currently in a severe condition. The patient had a history of exposure to poultry.

A 73 year-old man from Shenzhen City, Guangdong Province, He became ill on 10 March, was admitted to a hospital on 17 March and is currently in a critical condition. The patient had a history of exposure to poultry.

A 75 year-old woman from Chenzhou City, Hunan she became ill on 10 March, is currently hospitalised and in a stable condition.

The Chinese Government has taken the following surveillance and control measures:

strengthen surveillance and situation analysis;

reinforce case management and treatment; and

conduct risk communication with the public and release information.

Sporadic human cases

The overall risk assessment has not changed (see WHO Risk Assessment under 'Related links').

The previous report of avian influenza A(H7N9) virus detection in live poultry exported from mainland China to Hong Kong SAR shows the potential for the virus to spread through movement of live poultry, at this time there is no indication that international spread of avian influenza A(H7N9) has occurred. However as the virus infection does not cause signs of disease in poultry, continued surveillance is needed.

Should human cases from affected areas travel internationally, their infection may be detected in another country during or after arrival. If this were to occur, community level spread is unlikely as the virus does not have the ability to transmit easily among humans. Until the virus adapts itself for efficient human-to-human transmission, the risk of ongoing international spread of H7N9 virus by travellers is low.

WHO advice

WHO advises that travellers to countries with known outbreaks of avian influenza should avoid poultry farms, or contact with animals in live bird markets, or entering areas where poultry may be slaughtered, or contact with any surfaces that appear to be contaminated with faeces from poultry or other animals. Travellers should also wash their hands often with soap and water. Travellers should follow good food safety and good food hygiene practices.

WHO does not advise special screening at points of entry with regard to this event, nor does it currently recommend any travel or trade restrictions.

As always, a diagnosis of infection with an avian influenza virus should be considered in individuals who develop severe acute respiratory symptoms while travelling or soon after returning from an area where avian influenza is a concern.

WHO encourages countries to continue strengthening influenza surveillance, including surveillance for severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) and to carefully review any unusual patterns, in order to ensure reporting of human infections under the IHR (2005), and continue national health preparedness actions.